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The Airo 180 is perfect for any trip where minimal weight and small pack size are paramount - but you still need the insulation of a foam mat.

The challenges you are taking on mean compromises will need to be made but the Airo 180 will help minimise your losses. The tapered design, lightweight fabric and aggressive die-cut foam trim the mat down so that there is no excess weight. If you are after something lighter try the shorter Airo 120.

What You Say: Customer Reviews and Comments

Airo 180

Fits into my suitcase a treat - my Dozer was a little too large for taking abroad on long haul flights (!), so I bought this.

Compared to the Dozer, it does an admirable job and provides a comfortable nights sleep.

Perfect for lightweight travel.

Sam

30th October 2018

So far so good

Used once so far - garden sleep out with temp down to 0-5 c.

Insulated very well, I could definitely tell when I rolled off it.
Packs down to a good size, and doesn't weigh much. Was easy to roll up to get back in the bag. Needed a bit of help to inflate as mentioned in some other reviews.

Looking forward to using it again!

Solo Hiker

10th September 2018

Great for the price

I have used my Airo for a few years now, I would agree with some of the other reviews that it doesn't really self inflate.
Overall though I am very pleased with this mattress.

Neil

11th October 2016

Airo 120

I bought one of these in 2013 prior to a trip to the Himalayas and have used it extensively ever since.
Pros-Lightweight, small pack size, good insulation properties, durable and very comfortable
Cons-doesn't self inflate which means puffing and blowing and trying to shut off the valve at the same time. That's fine at sea level but at 5000 metres altitude it's not much fun!! I also imagine that the moisture from my breath will rot the inside at some point.

Would definately buy again though.

Gareth Smith

29th August 2016

Super Comfy

This is a step up from the traditional foam sleeping matt. It folds up much smaller, it lies completely flat and its really comfy. I have had mine a few years and it still seems to work OK, although it doesn't really self-inflate - it takes about 30 seconds blowing to get it up.

vipvop

13th August 2017

light convenient and packable but a bit on the thin side

I've stopped using the Airo 180 as it's a little too thin for comfort. However, I'm about 85 kilos (14stone) so a lighter person might fare better, but my experience is of feeling the ground and interrupted sleep. It is v well made and v light... just not for me. I've tried a slightly thicker but still v lightweight pad and found the difference a luxury I can't do without.

AlexH

26th October 2018

Unfit for Purpose - Multiple Faults with THREE

The self-inflating seeming like a gimmick, but my first Airo lasted almost 2 years (probably around 50 sleeps and when I put it like that, I'd expect much more) until it woke me making loud popping noises. Large bubbles appeared around the shoulder/head area. I replaced it at my own expense.

The replacement would slowly deflate and only lasted for around 10 sleeps, when a popping noise woke me again (a large bubble in the same area as before). I'd been very careful with use and storage with this one after advice from Alpkit regarding the previous failure.

Alpkit replaced the mat and (with my fourth Alpkit mat) I finally had one that self-inflated properly - I realised their "self inflation" wasn't a gimmick after all! However, this one deflated faster than the previous one. I couldn't find a puncture so returned it to Alpkit who reported a tiny puncture. When it was returned, the mat no longer self-inflated. I must have only slept on it twice when it popped again - in the same location as before. This time I requested a refund.

I've also had at least three (I've lost count) faulty walking poles from Alpkit. One fault they explained they were aware of on a small number of poles, but decided not to recall, which surprises me considering how dangerous that could have been. The first Alpkit mat I bought (back in 2008, but I consider it relevant due to recent faults) leaked air through the material - another fault Alpkit were aware of, but they had me trying to find a puncture in the bath multiple times before they said I should return it.

I've been hesitant to leave a negative review as I thought I must be unlucky, but I began to feel like an idiot constantly having replacements. I haven't used two of my replacement poles yet so who knows if they'll follow the others. And there's something seriously wrong when individual mats have had multiple faults and all three Airos have popped in the same place. I believe Alpkit should have refunded me for that first Airo. I was offered a 10% discount on other products at some point.

I think Alpkit pride themselves on customer service and it's generally good. However, constant replacements or refunds may seem all well and good from Alpkit's point of view. But it doesn't account for the hours of my time they've wasted, and the undue stress (e.g. wild camping with no insulation thanks to a faulty mat for a whole week in a cold Scottish autumn, being woken up in the night by popping mats, walking up and down trying to find a piece of fallen off walking pole (TWICE!), spending an hour in the Post Office just to return something so getting to work late etc.). I should be billing Alpkit for my time and requesting compensation on top of that first refund I never had.

Some of their more expensive products look appealing, but now I feel I would be an idiot to pay for them.

As I've had so many failures, I've specifically requested faults be investigated. Alpkit agreed to investigate, but for the popping Airo mats I've never had a response that even suggests the faults were investigated.

I don't think it's just Alpkit - I've had more problems with gear in the past 2 or 3 years than I had in my lifetime previously, though Alpkit have been by far the worst experience in terms of failures. Quality from some bigger manufacturers seems to be dropping in general. I have been using a mat from a well-known rival without problems for 2.5 years.

To add some balance, the Airo was comfortable until it popped (one bubble made a nice pillow if that's a possible product suggestion), and even with faulty self-inflating didn't take much to inflate (which is why the lack of self-inflation never bothered me much).